New organic agriculture council in Negros Oriental created
By Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, Aug 21 (PIA) -- The provincial government here created a council that will implement measures in making Negros Oriental the organic food basket in the country.
Gov. Roel Degamo has issued an executive order organizing the Negros Oriental Agriculture Management Council (NOOAMC).
This is in response to an ordinance that was passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan pushing for organic farming in Negros Oriental, Capitol Information Officer Adrian Sedillo said.
The ordinance called for the creation of a council that will oversee the implementation of this law, Sedillo said.
The council's members have met with the governor during which Gov. Degamo made clear of his goal of seeing a more developed food production in the province as a result of natural farming methods. (RMN-PIA7 Negros Oriental)
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Negros Oriental provincial government lauds steps to boost tourism
By Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, Aug 21 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Negros Oriental lauded the efforts of tourism stakeholders in fleshing out a provincial tourism roadmap that aims to boost the local tourism industry.
The provincial tourism office crafted a tourism development plan during the strategic planning workshop with local stakeholders and officials from the Department of Tourism.
Gov. Roel Degamo said the plan will help realize his goals toward a more improved tourism industry in the province.
The governor said tourism is one of the central components behind his livelihood programs as he recognizes the potential of an improved tourism industry in opening jobs and livelihood opportunities in the province.
The provincial government allots a sizeable budget for the development of the local tourism industry every year.
These funds have been used for the continued development of Lake Balanan in Siaton town where a zip line was built and completed, Capitol Information Officer Adrian Sedillo said.
Other tourist spots that have been developed are the Twin Lakes of Balinsasayaw, Mabinay Caves, Mantalip Reef in Bindoy and Tanjay Mangrove Forest, among others.
Sedillo said the provincial government has also prioritized the rehabilitation of popular tourist areas that were hit by the floods brought by Tropical Storm Sendong, such as the Tejeros Resort in Valencia and Baslay Hot Spring in Dauin. (RMN-PIA7 Negros Oriental)
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Church, LGU turn-over houses to Sendong victims in Dumaguete
By Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, Aug 20 (PIA) -- Former Archbishop of the Diocese of Dumaguete and now in Palo, Leyte John Du assisted by Dumaguete City Mayor Manauel Sagarbarria have turned-over 16 permanent houses to survivors of typhoon Sendong at the Caritas Village Shelter Project in Barangay Bajumpandan, Dumaguete City.
In his message, Archbishop Du was grateful to the church and local leaders for continuing what has been started before he left, the building of houses for the flood victims.
“To build a community is difficult than to build a house but with prayers and strong cooperation among the people and to grow mature enough, the responsibilities will be done,” Du said.
The 16 houses are the second completed batch of housing units for the affected families whose houses where totally damaged during typhoon Sendong in December.
This housing project is in partnership with Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-National Secretariat for Social Action and Caritas (CBCP-NASSA) and the local government of Dumaguete City which targeted to provide a total of 150 housing units.
In May, the first 12 set of houses were already awarded to family-beneficiaries in the same area with 5,000 square-meter land donated by the city government which can accommodate 58 houses.
For his part, Sagarbarria committed to provide another lot for the remaining 92 housing units to be managed by the Diocese of Dumaguete.
Sagarbarria said the city government will find ways to allocate funds for the purchase of another lot to complete the targeted number of houses for flood-affected families in the city. (mbcn/JCT/PIA-Negros Oriental)